Rescuers search for 10 missing skiers after California avalanche
An avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe region has left 10 backcountry skiers missing, authorities say, with six more people stranded and awaiting rescue. The avalanche was reported about 11:30PST (19:30GMT) in the Castle Peak area near the town of Truckee, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's »»»
Climber on trial for leaving girlfriend to die on Austria's highest mountain
More than a year after a 33-year-old woman froze to death on Austria's highest mountain, her boyfriend goes on trial on Thursday accused of gross negligent manslaughter. Kerstin G died of hypothermia on a mountain climbing trip to the Grossglockner that went horribly wrong. Her boyfriend is accused»»»
Guatemalan troops deploy to gang-plagued capital
Heavily armed Guatemalan troops and military police deployed to the country's capital Tuesday, challenging street gangs blamed for killing 11 officers and sparking a major security crisis. President Bernardo Arevala ordered the "Plan Sentinel" operation to break the stranglehold of Barrio 18 and MS»»»
Rubio extends Losar wishes, names envoy
Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday extended greetings to Tibetans worldwide on the occasion of Losar and announced the designation of a senior official as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. “I extend my warmest wishes to all those celebrating Losar, the»»»
I would scream in my sleep: Women from Syria's Alawite minority tell of kidnap and rape
Warning: This report contains accounts of sexual assault and violence that some readers may find distressing. Ramia was preparing for a family picnic, on a warm summer day in her village in Latakia province in western Syria, when a white car drove up, she said. Three armed men got out, saying they »»»
Food prices are surging in Russia. Is the war hitting Russians in the pocket?
"Life is becoming more expensive," complains Alexander, a Moscow-based advertising specialist who works for a big corporation. In the course of one month his monthly food budget soared by more than 22% - from 35,000 roubles (£330; $450) to 43,000 (£406; $555). With Russia's economy hanging somewher»»»
Oil prices fall back as 'hopeful' Tehran responds to Trump
Shares vacillated and oil prices dropped back down Tuesday as Tehran gave an encouraging response during talks with US officials in Geneva on Iran's nuclear programme, after days of escalating rhetoric from President Donald Trump. Also Read: Iran-US talks in Geneva advance on 'guiding principles'Oi»»»
100 MW solar project financing completed
AMMAN — President of the Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) Fathi Jaghbir, on Tuesday affirmed that the Shams Renewable Power Company project represents a "pioneering" national model for joint industrial work.He confirmed that the project’s financing is fully secured and that the company, established»»»
Dangerous winds cause deadly Colorado pileup sparks fast-moving Plains wildfires - UPI.com
1 of 2 | A fatal crash on I-25 near Pueblo, Colo., took place Tuesday during a high-wind event. Photo courtesy Colorado State Patrol Powerful winds kicking up dust across the Plains contributed to multiple fatal crashes and sparked rapidly spreading wildfires on Tuesday as dry grasses fueled fast-m»»»
TNG celebrates ‘Efforts for Excellence’ team appreciation event
The Next Generation School (TNG) marked its ‘Efforts for Excellence’ team appreciation event, honouring the dedication and impact of educators, researchers, and team members who bring the school’s vision to life each day. The evening brought together distinguished guests from the Ministry of Educat»»»
UDST event seeks to advance transportation decarbonisation
Tribune News Network Doha The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) hosted the Sustainable Mobility Symposium, bringing together experts, researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore pathways toward decarbonising transportation and advancing sustainable mobility solutio»»»
Msheireb Properties, Qatar Charity sign MoU to bolster humanitarian initiatives
Tribune News Network Doha Msheireb Properties, Qatar’s leading sustainable real estate developer, and Qatar Charity (QC), one of the largest humanitarian and development organisations in the world, have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday. This partnership formalises a »»»
Qatar's Permanent Representative in Geneva participates in UNDRR Support Group Meeting
Geneva: The Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva, HE Dr. Hend bint Abdalrahman Al Muftah participated in a meeting of the Support Group of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in Geneva. In her remarks, Her Excellency affirme»»»
From Lunar New Year prayers to high-tech displays, millions usher in the Year of the Horse
Fireworks lit the skies and incense smoke filled the air as millions rang in the Lunar New Year on Tuesday. From bustling temple fairs in Beijing to a high-tech Spring Festival gala, the Year of the Horse began in a swirl of prayer, pageantry and cutting-edge spectacle. Traditional prayers, firewor»»»
Ministry of Youth, Sports celebrates Qatar's representatives at international events
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Youth and Sports has organised an interactive meeting entitled "Our Youth Forum," bringing together young people who represented the State of Qatar at international events during the past year. This forum was organised as part of the Ministry's commitment to strengtheni»»»
Guatemala’s attorney general tied to alleged illegal adoption network - UPI.com
A protester holds a sign during a demonstration against the election process led by the state university and the candidacy of Guatemalan Attorney General Consuelo Porras for a Constitutional Court magistrate position in Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala, on Monday. The University of San Carlos, the stat»»»
The Munich Security Conference 2026: Much hype, little substance, no hope
What a relief, it’s over. This year’s Munich Security Conference (MSC) has ended. In reality, the meeting has never had much to do with increasing anyone’s security. Otherwise, its Western participants would, for instance, not have laughed at the warning Russian President Vladimir Putin issued ther»»»
Ajman enhances services and training for inmates
Ajman: Efforts to enhance inmates’ welfare and rehabilitation programmes at Ajman’s Correctional and Rehabilitation Institution have received strong praise from Brigadier Abdullah Saif Al Matrooshi, director general of Police operations at Ajman Police, who highlighted a series of development initi»»»
Abu Dhabi courts adopt facial recognition for legal transactions
Dubai: The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department has launched the first phase of a project to adopt facial recognition technology for processing legal transactions, becoming the first judicial authority in the region to use the system as an alternative to digital signatures. The initial phase will apply to»»»
Russian scientists develop rapid device to detect early aging, cancer risk
Moscow: Scientists in Saint Petersburg, Russia, have developed a new high-precision device capable of rapidly detecting cellular damage associated with accelerated aging, cancer, and other diseases. According to the Russian Science Foundation, the device demonstrates accuracy 1.5 to 2 times greater»»»
UDST hosts Sustainable Mobility Symposium to advance decarbonisation, innovation in transportation
Doha, Qatar: The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) hosted the Sustainable Mobility Symposium, bringing together experts, researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore pathways toward decarbonising transportation and advancing sustainable mobility solutions in Qatar a»»»
Bitcoin selloff exposes cracks in El Salvador's sovereign financing strategy
The deterioration in Bitcoin’s market price is feeding directly into El Salvador’s sovereign risk profile, exposing the fiscal and institutional trade-offs embedded in President Nayib Bukele’s flagship digital asset strategy. »»»
The poster child of ‘post-politics’
He emerged from our screens. He’d be nothing without social media, without its ability to transform an absolute nothing into a famous nothing. His improvised videos were considered provocative at first. Provocation then brought attention, and attention brought voter interest. Who is this? Donald Tr»»»
Police identify suspect in Rhode Island ice rink shooting
Police have identified the suspect in a shooting at a high school ice hockey game in Rhode Island that killed two people and injured three others. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said Robert Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta and the surname Esposito, died of an apparent self-inflicted gu»»»
‘High-stakes fight’ erupts in EU over Russian steel – Euronews
The European Union is bracing itself for a fight over a proposed ban on Russian steel imports, as lawmakers attempt to push the restrictions through a legislative backdoor, according to Euronews. Members of the European Parliament and EU member states will begin negotiations next week on whether to»»»
Macron goes for a morning jog along Mumbai’s Marine Drive
Dubai: French President Emmanuel Macron surprised onlookers in Mumbai with an early morning jog along the iconic Marine Drive during his visit to India, drawing crowds and sparking buzz on social media. Dressed in athletic gear and accompanied by security personnel, Macron was seen jogging along th»»»
Netflix grants 7-day window for WBD-Paramount offer discussions - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said the company will engage with Paramount Skydance on its offer to buy the company, but still believes Netflix is a better choice. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. Discovery announced that Netflix has grante»»»
US SpaceX launches new set of "Starlink" satellites into space
Washington: The American aerospace company SpaceX has launched 29 new satellites into space as part of its Starlink constellation. The company stated that a Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying the satellites to low Earth orbit (LEO), and successfu»»»
Bulgaria Brings Issue of Anti-Bulgarian Hate and Violence in North Macedonia Before Council of Europe
Bulgaria has formally raised concerns about violence and hate speech targeting the Bulgarian ethnic community in the Republic of North Macedonia before the Council of Europe. A written question on the issue has been submitted to the Committee of Ministers and registered as written question No. 806 »»»
Syria starts emptying IS-linked Al-Hol camp:
Syria began evacuating remaining residents of Al-Hol camp, which long housed relatives of suspected Islamic State group fighters, as it empties the formerly Kurdish-controlled facility, two officials told AFP. Al-Hol, located in a desert region of Hasakeh province, had been Syria's largest camp hou»»»
Chartered Institute of Marketing launches in Dubai to strengthen marketing capability across the UAE and GCC
Dubai: The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the world’s leading professional body for marketing, has officially launched its new regional hub in Dubai Knowledge Park, marking a significant milestone in its expansion across the Middle East. The launch event brought together senior leaders, in»»»
Iran hold military drills in Strait of Hormuz ahead of US talks
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would be involved "indirectly" in high-stakes talks between Iran and the US over Tehran's nuclear program set for Tuesday in Geneva, adding he believed Tehran wanted to make a deal. His comments came as Iran held a military drill on Monday in the Str»»»
Southwest France remains on high alert as Garonne floods towns
The west and southwest of France remain on high alert Tuesday, despite the national weather agency announcing a “slow” but “temporary” drop in water levels in the River Garonne, which has burst its banks and flooded villages and towns. Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes since l»»»
UAE prepares for Ramadan with flexible work, price controls and family-focused initiatives
The UAE is preparing to welcome Ramadan 2026 with a wide-ranging set of measures aimed at preserving the spiritual and social character of the holy month while ensuring business continuity across public and private sectors. Authorities across the country have introduced flexible working arrangement»»»
The UAE is testing the use of lasers to stimulate rainfall
A research project conducted under the supervision of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science has reached a scientific breakthrough confirming the feasibility of laser-induced water vapor condensation and is now preparing for field trials in collaboration with international partners. »»»
Convict on house arrest back in prison after firing gun into the air
A 71-year-old man under house arrest since last year for attempting to bribe a Supreme Court judge was taken back into custody Monday night after allegedly firing a shotgun outside his home in eastern Attica, police said. Christos Mavrikis, known for his role in a high-profile political wiretapping»»»
Researchers develop 'Smart Underwear' to track a wearer's farts - UPI.com
University of Maryland researchers designed "Smart Underwear" to track and measure the wearer's flatulence. Photo courtesy of the University of Maryland Feb. 16 (UPI) -- University of Maryland researchers designed "Smart Underwear" to track and measure flatulence -- and they are seeking volunteers »»»
UAE enforces strict Ramadan price checks to protect consumers
Dubai: The UAE has once again put the interest of the people first by warning retailers against price increases for nine categories of essential goods during Ramadan, while inspection teams in Dubai have already begun field visits ahead of the holy month to ensure price labels match checkout bills »»»
Bill Gates stays on India AI Summit agenda after Epstein-related confusion
Dubai: Uncertainty surrounding Bill Gates’ participation in the India AI Impact Summit has been resolved, with the Gates Foundation confirming that the Microsoft co-founder will attend as scheduled and deliver his keynote address. Questions had emerged after Gates’ name did not appear on the summit»»»
Ramadan 2026: Malaysia confirms first day of holy month
The crescent marking the beginning of Ramadan was not sighted in Malaysia on Tuesday, the country’s authorities announced. Therefore, Wednesday (February 18) will be the last day of Sha’aban while Ramadan will begin on Thursday. The announcement was made by Malaysia’s Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, Ta»»»
BLD Launches Egyptian Operations with Mixed-Use Portfolio Strategy
BLD Group has officially launched operations in the Egyptian market, unveiling an investment plan valued at approximately EGP 2.5 billion aimed at developing and upgrading a portfolio of mixed-use real estate projects across the country. The move positions the company as a new entrant in Egypt’s in»»»
$2bn Cyprus–Egypt Gas Pipeline Project Targets 2030 Start
Egypt and Cyprus have agreed to establish a Cyprus-based company to construct and operate a subsea natural gas pipeline linking the Aphrodite gas field to Egypt, in a project expected to exceed $2 billion in investments. According to a senior Egyptian government official cited by Asharq Business wi»»»
Ramadan 2026: Asian countries officially confirm first day
Several Asian nations have officially confirmed that Ramadan will begin on Thursday, February 19, after crescent moon sightings were not recorded on the expected evening. Authorities in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei announced the start date following traditional lunar observations and official ver»»»
AI can spot the crescent before the eye but faith still decides the start of Ramadan
Modern technologies and artificial intelligence can now detect the crescent moon with remarkable accuracy, often identifying what the naked eye and ground-based telescopes cannot. Yet, despite these advances, the final decision on the start of Islamic months remains a matter of religious judgement,»»»
Mayors Rally in Bistritsa to Support Colleague After Arson Attack
Mayors from across Bulgaria gathered in the village of Bistritsa to show support for their colleague Samuil Popov, following the arson of his home and car on Monday night, Bulfoto reported. The demonstration, held in front of the local administration building, was attended by political figures incl»»»
Mickoski and 4iG management discuss €100 million investment package in telecommunications, AI and energy
Skopje, 13 February 2026 (MIA) - Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski met Friday with the management of 4iG during the 62nd Munich Security Conference. As the Prime Minister reported on social media, they discussed an investment package worth €100 million in several sectors in the country. “In Munich,»»»
South Asia: A disconnected giant in a connected world
South Asia is one of the great paradoxes of the global economy. Home to nearly a quarter of the world’s population, including three of the ten most populous countries, it should logically be among the most interconnected regions on earth. Instead, it remains one of the least integrated — economical»»»
17th century wreck reappears from Stockholm deep
Stockholm: A 17th century Swedish Navy shipwreck buried underwater in central Stockholm for 400 years has suddenly become visible due to unusually low Baltic Sea levels. The wooden planks of the ship's well-preserved hull have since early February been peeking out above the surface of the water off»»»
Over 1,000 Romanian patients were treated in 2025 at the private hospital Wiener Privatklinik in Vienna
Wiener Privatklinik (WPK), one of Austria’s largest private hospitals, treated more than 1,000 Romanian patients in 2025, while the total value of treatments provided to Romanian patients increased by 10% compared to the previous year. Romanian patients accounted for 24% of all international patien»»»
EU may freeze Serbia funds over controversial judicial reforms
The European Union could withhold part of a €1.6bn allocation of loans and grants to Serbia after Belgrade passed judicial reforms that are “eroding trust” in its commitment to the rule of law, the bloc’s enlargement commissioner told Reuters on February 12. »»»